LAMOTRIGINE AMNEAL 25 MG TABLETS

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PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Lamotrigine Amneal 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg & 200 mg tablets
Lamotrigine
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important
information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if
their signs of illness are the same as yours.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects
not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet:
1. What Lamotrigine Amneal is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Lamotrigine Amneal
3. How to take Lamotrigine Amneal
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Lamotrigine Amneal
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1.

What Lamotrigine Amneal is and what it is used for

Lamotrigine belongs to a group of medicines called anti-epileptics. It is used to treat two conditions –
epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
Lamotrigine Amneal treats epilepsy by blocking the signals in the brain that trigger epileptic seizures
(fits).
 For adults and children aged 13 years and over, Lamotrigine Amneal can be used on its own or with
other medicines, to treat epilepsy. Lamotrigine Amneal can also be used with other medicines to treat
the seizures that occur with a condition called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.


For children aged between 2 and 12 years, Lamotrigine Amneal can be used with other medicines, to
treat those conditions. It can be used on its own to treat a type of epilepsy called typical absence
seizures.

Lamotrigine Amneal also treats bipolar disorder.
People with bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic depression) have extreme mood swings, with
periods of mania (excitement or euphoria) alternating with periods of depression (deep sadness or despair).
For adults aged 18 years and over, Lamotrigine Amneal can be used on its own or with other medicines, to
prevent the periods of depression that occur in bipolar disorder. It is not yet known how Lamotrigine
Amneal works in the brain to have this effect.
2.

What you need to know before you take Lamotrigine Amneal

DO NOT take Lamotrigine Amneal tablets


if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Lamotrigine or any of the other ingredients of Lamotrigine
Amneal tablets (listed in section 6).

If this applies to you:
 Tell your doctor, and don’t take Lamotrigine Amneal tablets.

Warnings and precautions

Important information about potentially life-threatening reactions:
A small number of people taking Lamotrigine get an allergic reaction or potentially life-threatening skin
reaction, which may develop into more serious problems if they are not treated. These can include
Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and drug reaction with eosinophilia
and systemic symptoms (DRESS). You need to know the symptoms to look out for while you are taking
Lamotrigine Amneal tablets:
 Read the description of these symptoms in of this leaflet under ‘Potentially life-threatening
reactions: get a doctor’s help straight away’.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Lamotrigine Amneal:
 if you have any kidney problems
 if you have ever developed a rash after taking lamotrigine or other medicines for bipolar disorder or
epilepsy
 if you are already taking medicine that contains lamotrigine.
If any of these applies to you:
 Tell your doctor, who may decide to lower the dose, or that Lamotrigine Amneal tablets are not
suitable for you.
Thoughts of harming yourself or suicide
Anti-epileptic medicines are used to treat several conditions, including epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
People with bipolar disorder can sometimes have thoughts of harming themselves or committing suicide. If
you have bipolar disorder, you may be more likely to think like this:
 when you first start treatment
 if you have previously had thoughts about harming yourself or about suicide
 if you are under 25 years old.
If you have distressing thoughts or experiences, or if you notice that you feel worse or develop new
symptoms while you’re taking Lamotrigine Amneal:
 See a doctor as soon as possible or go to the nearest hospital for help.
A small number of people being treated with anti-epileptics such as lamotrigine have also had thoughts of
harming or killing themselves. If any time you have these thoughts, immediately contact your doctor.
If you’re taking Lamotrigine Amneal for epilepsy
The seizures in some types of epilepsy may occasionally become worse or happen more often while you’re
taking Lamotrigine Amneal. Some patients may experience severe seizures, which may cause serious
health problems. If your seizures happen more often, or if you experience a severe seizure while you’re
taking Lamotrigine Amneal:
 See a doctor as soon as possible.
Lamotrigine Amneal should not be given to people aged under 18 years to treat bipolar disorder.
Medicines to treat depression and other mental health problems increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and
behaviour in children and adolescents aged under 18 years.
Other medicines and Lamotrigine Amneal
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other
medicines — these include herbal medicines or other medicines you bought without a prescription.
Your doctor needs to know if you are taking other medicines to treat epilepsy or mental health problems.
This is to make sure you take the correct dose of Lamotrigine. These medicines include:
 oxcarbazepine, felbamate, gabapentin, levetiracetam, pregabalin, topiramate or zonisamide, used
to treat epilepsy
 lithium or olanzapine, used to treat mental health problems
 bupropion, used to treat mental health problems or to stop smoking

 Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these.
Some medicines interact with Lamotrigine Amneal or make it more likely that people will have side
effects. These include:
 valproate, used to treat epilepsy and mental health problems
 carbamazepine, used to treat epilepsy and mental health problems
 phenytoin, primidone or phenobarbitone, used to treat epilepsy
 risperidone, used to treat mental health problems
 rifampicin, which is an antibiotic
 medicines used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection (a combination of
lopinavir and ritonavir or atazanavir and ritonavir)
 hormonal contraceptives, such as the Pill (see below).
 Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these, or if you start or stop taking any.
Hormonal contraceptives (such as the Pill) can affect the way Lamotrigine Amneal works
Your doctor may recommend that you use a particular type of hormonal contraceptive, or another method
of contraception, such as condoms, a cap or a coil. If you are using a hormonal contraceptive like the Pill,
your doctor may take samples of your blood to check the level of Lamotrigine Amneal. If you are using a
hormonal contraceptive, or if you plan to start using one:
 Talk to your doctor, who will discuss suitable methods of contraception with you.
Lamotrigine Amneal can also affect the way hormonal contraceptives work, although it’s unlikely to make
them less effective. If you are using a hormonal contraceptive, and you notice any changes in your
menstrual pattern, such as breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods:
 Tell your doctor. These may be signs that Lamotrigine Amneal is affecting the way your contraceptive
is working.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Pregnancy
There may be an increased risk of birth defects in babies whose mothers took Lamotrigine Amneal during
pregnancy. These defects include cleft lip or cleft palate. Your doctor may advise you to take extra folic
acid if you’re planning to become pregnant and while you’re pregnant.
Pregnancy may also alter the effectiveness of Lamotrigine Amneal, so you may need blood tests and your
dose of Lamotrigine Amneal may be adjusted.
 Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant, if you might be pregnant, or if you’re planning to become
pregnant. You should not stop treatment without discussing this with your doctor. This is particularly
important if you have epilepsy.

Breast-feeding
The active ingredient Lamotrigine passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. Your doctor will
discuss the risks and benefits of breast-feeding while you’re taking Lamotrigine Amneal, and will check
your baby from time to time if you decide to breast-feed.
 Talk to your doctor if you are breast feeding or planning to breast-feed.
Driving and using machines
Lamotrigine Amneal can cause dizziness and double vision.
 Don’t drive or operate machines unless you are sure you’re not affected.
If you have epilepsy, talk to your doctor about driving and using machines.
Lamotrigin Amneal contains lactose

Lamotrigine Amneal tablets contain small amounts of a sugar called lactose. If you have intolerance to
lactose or any other sugars:
 Tell your doctor, and don’t take Lamotrigine Amneal.
Lamotrigine Amneal 100 mg tablets contain sunset yellow aluminium lake (E110)
This may cause allergic reactions.
3. How to take Lamotrigine Amneal
Always take Lamotrigine Amneal exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your
doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
How much Lamotrigine Amneal to take
It may take a while to find the best dose of Lamotrigine Amneal for you. The dose you take will depend
on:
 your age
 whether you are taking Lamotrigine Amneal with other medicines
 whether you have any kidney or liver problems.
Your doctor will prescribe a low dose to start, and gradually increase the dose over a few weeks until you
reach a dose that works for you (called the effective dose). Never take more Lamotrigine Amneal than
your doctor tells you to.
Use in children and adolescents
The usual effective dose of Lamotrigine Amneal for adults and children aged 13 years or over is between
100 mg and 400 mg each day.
For children aged 2 to 12 years, the effective dose depends on their body weight — usually, it’s between 1
mg and 15 mg for each kilogram of the child’s weight, up to a maximum of 400 mg daily.
Lamotrigine Amneal is not recommended for children aged under 2 years.
How to take your dose of Lamotrigine Amneal
Take your dose of Lamotrigine Amneal once or twice a day, as your doctor advises. It can be taken with or
without food.
Your doctor may also advise you to start or stop taking other medicines, depending on what condition
you’re being treated for and the way you respond to treatment.
 Swallow your tablets. Don’t chew or crush them.
 Always take the full dose that your doctor has prescribed.
If you take more Lamotrigine Amneal than you should
 Contact a doctor or pharmacist immediately. If possible, show them the Lamotrigine Amneal packet.
Someone who has taken too much Lamotrigine Amneal may have any of these symptoms:
 rapid, uncontrollable eye movements (nystagmus)
 clumsiness and lack of co-ordination, affecting their balance (ataxia)
 loss of consciousness or coma.
If you forget to take Lamotrigine Amneal
Don’t take extra tablets or a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
 Ask your doctor for advice on how to start taking it again. It’s important that you do this.
Don’t stop taking Lamotrigine Amneal without advice
Lamotrigine Amneal must be taken for as long as your doctor recommends. Don’t stop unless your doctor
advises you to.

If you are taking Lamotrigine Amneal for epilepsy
To stop taking Lamotrigine Amneal, it is important that the dose is reduced gradually, over about 2
weeks. If you suddenly stop taking Lamotrigine Amneal, your epilepsy may come back or get worse.
If you are taking Lamotrigine Amneal for bipolar disorder
Lamotrigine Amneal may take some time to work, so you are unlikely to feel better straight away. If you
stop taking Lamotrigine Amneal, your dose will not need to be reduced gradually. But you should still talk
to your doctor first, if you want to stop taking Lamotrigine Amneal.
4.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Potentially life-threatening reactions: get a doctor’s help straight away
A small number of people taking Lamotrigine Amneal get an allergic reaction or potentially lifethreatening skin reaction, which may develop into more serious problems if they are not treated.
These symptoms are more likely to happen during the first few months of treatment with Lamotrigine
Amneal, especially if the starting dose is too high or if the dose increased too quickly, or if Lamotrigine
Amneal is taken with another medicine called valproate. Some of the symptoms are more common in
children, so parents should be especially careful to watch out for them.
Symptoms of these reactions include:
 skin rashes or redness, which may develop into life-threatening skin reactions including widespread
rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly occurring around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals
(Stevens-Johnson syndrome), extensive peeling of the skin (more than 30% of the body surface – toxic
epidermal necrolysis) or extended rashes with liver, blood and other body organs involvement (DRESS
- drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms).
 ulcers in the mouth, throat, nose or genitals
 a sore mouth or red or swollen eyes (conjunctivitis)
 a high temperature (fever), flu-like symptoms or drowsiness
 swelling around your face, or swollen glands in your neck, armpit or groin
 unexpected bleeding or bruising, or the fingers turning blue
 a sore throat, or more infections (such as colds) than usual.
 increased levels of liver enzymes seen in blood tests
 an increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophils)
 enlarged lymph nodes
 involvement of the organs of the body including liver and kidneys.
In many cases, these symptoms will be signs of less serious side effects. But you must be aware that they
are potentially serious and can develop into more serious problems, such as organ failure, if they are
not treated. If you notice any of these symptoms:
 Contact a doctor immediately. Your doctor may decide to carry out tests on your liver, kidneys or
blood, and may tell you to stop taking Lamotrigine Amneal.
Very common side effects : may affect more than 1 in 10 people
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Rare side effects : may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people
 itchy eyes, with discharge and crusty eyelids (conjunctivitis)
 Potentially life-threatening skin rashes (Stevens–Johnson syndrome:) have been reported (see section
2 and at the beginning of section 4).

Very rare side effects : may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people
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Potentially life-threatening skin rashes (toxic epidermal necrolysis) have been reported (see
section 2 and at the beginning of section 4).
hallucinations (‘seeing’ or ‘hearing’ things that aren’t really there)
confusion or agitation
feeling ‘wobbly’ or unsteady when you move about
uncontrollable body movements (tics), uncontrollable muscle spasms affecting the eyes, head and torso
(choreoathetosis), or other unusual body movements such as jerking, shaking or stiffness
in people who already have epilepsy, seizures happening more often
changes in liver function, which will show up in blood tests, or liver failure
changes which may show up in blood tests — including reduced numbers of red blood cells (anaemia),
reduced numbers of white blood cells (leucopenia, neutropenia, agranulo-cytosis), reduced numbers of
platelets (thrombocytopenia), reduced numbers of all these types of cell (pancytopenia), and a disorder
of the bone marrow called aplastic anaemia
a serious disorder of blood clotting, which can cause unexpected bleeding or bruising (disseminated
intravascular coagulation)
a high temperature (fever)
swelling around the face (oedema) or swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin (lymphadenopathy)
in people who already have Parkinson’s disease, worsening of the symptoms.

Possible risk of bone disorders
There have been reports of bone disorders including osteopenia and osteoporosis (thinning of the
bone) and fractures. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are on long-term antiepileptic
medication, have a history of osteoporosis, or take steroids.
Other side effects
Other side effects have occurred in a small number of people but their exact frequency is unknown:
 A group of symptoms together including:
- fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, stiff neck and extreme sensitivity to bright light.
This may be caused by an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
(meningitis).
 There have been reports of bone disorders including osteopenia and osteoporosis (thinning of the bone)
and fractures. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are on long-term antiepileptic medication,
have a history of osteoporosis, or take steroids.
 Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not
listed in this leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Lamotrigine Amneal
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine tablets after the expiry date which is stated on the blister/label of the bottle and
the carton after the EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw
away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States. The absence of a warning for a given drug or combination thereof in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. If you have questions about the substances you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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